Original subtitles

♪Let this long river boil, forging new mountains and seas♪

♪Let the blade cut through the dust♪

♪At the end of the other shore, the long night finally pales♪

♪Only then is this oath not sworn in vain♪

♪Let the torrents drench me, frost and snow embrace me♪

♪My resolve has never wavered♪

♪Even after millennia, I'll cleave mountains asunder♪

♪I'll wait for the fog to clear, the dawn to break, and for you to come♪

♪Storms and turmoil rage♪

♪Turbulent waves surge♪

♪Trampling the dawn's light♪

♪Let us venture together♪

♪Let this long river boil, forging new mountains and seas♪

♪Let the blade cut through the dust♪

♪At the end of the other shore, the long night finally pales♪

♪Only then is this oath not sworn in vain♪

♪Let the torrents drench me, frost and snow embrace me♪

♪My resolve has never wavered♪

♪Even after millennia, I'll cleave mountains asunder♪

♪I'll wait for the fog to clear, the dawn to break, and for you to come♪

=The Journey of Legend=

=Episode 24=

Back then, Madam Wu gave me a dagger.

She said Master Zhang wanted me to have it.

I accidentally discovered this spar inside the dagger.

And this spar is the Hero Token.

But I couldn't discern any clues about the Book of Oblivion.

After finally obtaining the Hero Token,

it contains no Book of Oblivion.

These three fingerprints

belonged to Shaolin's Tianzheng,

Wudang's Taichan,

and Emei's Zhichen.

Among them, only Zhichen

from Emei remains alive today.

We can go to Emei.

Even if we don't find

the Book of Oblivion,

we might uncover clues about Yan Kuangtu.

I've always felt Yan Kuangtu

could cure your father.

Moreover,

I once promised Madam Wu

to find Yan Kuangtu's sister.

What's wrong?

It's Tang Song.

I sent a tracking bee after him

when I was trapped.

He's heading to Insect Valley now.

Is something suspicious?

The once-every-five-years inheritor campaign

is approaching.

During this event,

branch families can challenge the first branch

to the death.

The winner becomes the new leader.

However, the location chosen for the campaign this time

is the Insect Valley.

That's why I'm suspicious.

It's Tang Sect's forbidden area

that's been sealed for many years.

The Insect King's

revival site is Insect Valley.

So he's using the inheritor campaign to access Insect Valley.

Qiushui,

you're seeking Sword King?

But Qiushui,

we didn't find that so-called king.

The Embarrassment King?

- Yes, him. - We missed the real target.

But I'll get evidence

from Sword King.

What should we do?

Don't worry.

I'll make Sword King leak information.

And you'll weaken Power Gang's outposts

under the pretense of opposing Liu Suifeng.

Count us in.

Power Gang killed our father. They're our sworn enemies.

Now we sisters

have joined the Shenzhou Alliance.

Qiushui, our alliance

keeps growing stronger.

Thanks to all of you.

Our alliance will

bring peace to the martial world.

But we need to stay vigilant.

We must keep improving our skills.

- Okay. - Okay.

Thank you for opening Insect Valley.

Tonight is the inheritor campaign.

This place will be guarded by us.

I've always guarded Insect Valley.

Why the change?

Ask the five elders.

Greetings, Discipline Elder

and Four Verdict Elders.

Hosting the campaign in Insect Valley

requires replacing all the valley's guards

with Avici Tower convicts.

This ensures impartiality.

Open it.

Withdraw your men.

Understood.

Thank you, elders.

Please rest now.

Young Master.

The guards here

are all our men now.

You may proceed to the rear valley

undisturbed.

Not yet.

Are you expecting trouble?

If I were Xiao Qiushui,

I'd surely come here today.

Stay alert.

Understood.

Mr. Xiao, have you found the Insect King?

No.

Without a pledge, why are you even here?

Well,

I'm here to save you.

Insect King's shell?

The eight stripes will soon molt into seven.

That's right.

Now,

the Power Gang uses corpse beetles from Better-Dead Pills

to control people.

And the Insect King

is about to molt.

It needs rejuvenation.

How does that concern me?

Master Li didn't

entrust such an important item to you.

Instead, he gave this crucial item

to someone else.

Think about it.

If Liu Suifeng truly revitalizes the Insect King,

he'll be the new Blood Sovereign.

The Better-Dead Pills control countless people,

including you, right, Sword King?

You know everything?

Power Gang's Eight Kings and all others above them

are controlled by Better-Dead Pills.

This measure

prevents internal conflicts.

If someone becomes the new Blood Sovereign

and breaks free from the pills' control,

guess

what fate those

who oppose him will face.

What do you propose?

If I lure Liu Suifeng

into killing one of the Eight Kings,

the Better-Dead Pill in his body will activate

and inflict severe damage.

Then

we can both kill him.

Since we're cooperating,

you must tell me

where his forces are stationed.

That way I can arrange

to destroy them.

And then,

you and I...

Excellent tea.

This is the entrance.

Okay.

Wait.

Who ordered you to guard the forbidden area?

The elders' decision.

It's the inheritor campaign.

The family head didn't even show up.

Dealing with you

doesn't require my father's presence.

Let us through now!

Who gave you the audacity to act this way?

If you disagree,

let's settle it now.

Come on.

Madam Tang has arrived!

Welcome, Madam.

Coming this far is already annoying enough.

Four Verdicts and Discipline,

was choosing this location

for the inheritor campaign your idea?

Yes.

Enough. Let's begin quickly.

What's happening?

Lower the sedan!

What happened?

Some mysterious pebble

injured my foot.

I disturbed Madam.

Please forgive me.

Enough. Get another carrier.

Yes.

You.

Carry the sedan.

Lift the sedan.

Lower the sedan.

The night is cold and damp.

This inheritor campaign night

will be difficult to endure.

Welcome, Madam.

Xiao Qiushui has entered.

No one enters the back valley.

Understood.

Tang Song

has orchestrated so many schemes.

I suspect a greater conspiracy behind him.

When you go to the Scorpion Arena,

be cautious in everything.

The campaign happens every five years.

I've grown used to it over the years.

If I can't handle this level of situation,

how do I lead the first branch?

Find a way to the back valley.

Leave the rest to me.

Tang Song,

it seems like no other branches are coming up.

Our first branch versus your third branch.

Let's have a fight.

Tang Qing,

aren't these two supposed to be the best fighters from the third branch?

Why aren't they coming up?

Tang Song,

you've delayed entering the arena for so long.

What tricks are you trying to play in front of Madam?

Stop holding back.

Tang Qing, you go first.

Let's finish early so we can rest.

Yes.

You're so eager to cross blades with me.

Aren't you anxious?

Make your move.

Master Liu,

is this the perfect ground that nurtures the Insect King?

Thick miasma blankets this place, with fungi carpeting the soil.

It's perfect.

The moon has risen.

I'll begin now.

Guard it well.

I'll remove the threats.

Ghost King.

Qu Hanshan, you!

It's Master Li's treasure.

Does Liu Suifeng plan to keep it to himself?

Qu Hanshan, it's Master Li's order.

What if Liu Suifeng's lying?

Hand the Insect King to me.

I'll verify with Master Li.

Interrupting its feeding will undo all our efforts.

If you won't surrender it,

I'll borrow your corpse instead.

Xiao Qiushui,

do you think sixty years of internal energy

would let you ambush me?

We both came prepared, as expected.

Our disguises when entering the valley earlier

were merely theatrics.

Avoiding me

isn't your usual style.

Why not show yourself

and let's talk properly?

Don't you want to know where your parents'

corpses are kept?

I've preserved them well.

Keeping their corpses intact

required significant effort.

But rest assured,

they remain perfectly preserved.

Not even sword-sheath blows could bend them.

Though the sounds were rather grating.

Ghost King?

Tang Song,

you aren't my rival.

Qu Hanshan,

it's you!

Liu Suifeng, you're clever as ever. You guessed right.

I subdued the Ghost King and placed him here disguised

to make you kill him.

You allied with Xiao Qiushui?

Why not?

Eliminating you

grants me sole control of the gang,

inheriting the Insect King,

and ruling the entire martial world.

This collaboration serves me well.

Song,

the Death Warrant weapon is banned inside Tang Sect.

You mustn't use it.

Look!

What's that?

The inheritor campaign has begun. It must proceed.

Tang Fang has already won four consecutive matches.

One more victory secures the first branch leadership.

Qu Hanshan,

you've been deceived by him.

Tang Song,

you've lost.

Madam,

Tang Song used dark arts to coerce us.

Please judge us fairly.

Punish Tang Song! Punish Tang Song! Punish Tang Song!

Punish him severely!

Madams, Tang Song forced us with gu bugs

to hold the inheritor campaign in Insect Valley.

He then used the five elders' authority over the Avici Tower

to replace guards

with masked convicts.

Come forward.

I'm Xiao Qiushui of Huanhua Sect.

Greetings, Madam Tang.

So you're Xiao Qiushui?

For the Tang Sect's arena,

interruption by outsiders demands a life as forfeit.

Madam, the truth is,

when Tang Song used a forbidden weapon,

the campaign officially ended.

Xiao Qiushui only intervened afterward to aid me.

So he didn't break the rules.

How did he infiltrate Insect Valley?

Fang, you couldn't have been unaware, could you?

Madam Tang,

I admit wrongdoing in entering your forbidden area.

But Tang Song colluded with the Power Gang,

lending Insect Valley to rejuvenate gu bugs.

I merely came to stop them.

Now I've slain the Insect King,

and all Tang Sect members afflicted by gu poison have recovered.

I simply came to help Tang Sect

by purging the traitors.

Tang Song,

is that true?

We survivors can testify.

You'd better confess everything.

I acted foolishly.

The Power Gang exploited me.

Spare me, Madam! Have mercy!

Madam, have mercy!

It's rare to see such a ruthless junior.

Pity.

Send Tang Song and the third branch members

to Avici Tower.

No! Madam, have mercy!

Mercy, Madam! No!

Let me go! Spare me, Madam!

Madam, have mercy!

- Have mercy! - Madam! Madam!

Madam, I knew nothing of this.

I was deceived by Tang Song.

Believe me, Madam! I beg you!

Believe me, Madam!

Though Avici Tower brings suffering,

it's no reason for suicide.

I was wronged.

Hence my desperate act.

Eradicating the third branch would reduce our vitality.

Let her do chores in my courtyard instead.

Thank you, Madam! Thank you!

You're Huanhua's third son,

Xiao Qiushui, correct?

Yes.

You've caused chaos in my domain.

If I let this go,

wouldn't Tang Sect

be deeply humiliated?

Madam,

- he's... - Fang.

Smuggling outsiders into our sect is also a grave offense.

Guards!

Take Tang Fang to Avici Tower too.

Yes!

Madam,

why this severity?

When Power Gang members exposed me earlier,

you sent sedan bearers to rescue me.

With the campaign held in Insect Valley,

you knew troubles would arise.

Yet you didn't stop Tang Song.

Your contradictory actions

were deliberate, weren't they?

Why would I do that?

To purge internal threats

while avoiding Power Gang's wrath.

So you used me

to eliminate intruders

and expose Tang Song's schemes.

Therefore,

Tang Fang didn't break sect rules

by secretly bringing me in.

Rather, she understood your intent

and acted preemptively

to resolve your concerns.

I don't understand

your words.

Xiao Qiushui, you trespassed.

If I let you leave unscathed,

it'd break rules.

Xiao Qiushui,

since you possess Tang Sect's invitation token,

I shall overlook the transgressions

of you and Tang Fang.

Tang Fang is absolved.

And the first branch retains status.

It was a long night.

Retire and rest.

Why didn't you block Madam's palm strike?

That strike

was a display for the Tang Sect

and to reinforce discipline.

I couldn't evade it.

Are you alright?

I'm fine.

No time to waste.

Let's go.

I painstakingly planted Sword King,

yet he was uprooted so easily.

I underestimated you.

Young Master!

You're injured. You need rest.

Don't strain your energy.

He destroyed my Insect King

and killed two kings.

Xiao Qiushui killed three birds with one stone.

What a vicious scheme he's executed.

Young Master,

should we inform Master Li about this?

Liu Suifeng!

Liu Suifeng,

shouldn't you give us

an explanation today?

Blade King,

who gave you the guts to disrespect Master Liu?

What are you uninvited guests here for?

Are you rebelling?

I owe you no explanations.

Liu Suifeng,

enough with your eloquence.

Eight Kings were created

to balance your monopoly of power.

The gang has its rules.

Even if Master Li spares you today,

we won't let this slide.

With the Better-Dead Pills lifted,

you besieged me without Master Li's order.

Do the gang rules mean nothing to you?

They say you never miscalculate,

yet you keep failing against that Xiao brat.

Is your 'miscalculating'

just an empty reputation

or deliberate failure?

Why waste words?

Cripple him now

before his schemes cause more trouble.

Everyone, hold on.

I admit fault.

Master Li can decide my punishment.

But if anyone plots rebellion,

I'll personally purge the gang of traitors.

No one is rebelling.

We remain loyal to Master Li.

Yet to you, it's different.

You overstep your authority arrogantly.

I'll discipline you even if it kills me.

This blade was forged for you.

Master Li.

Suifeng failed

because Sword King harbored treachery.

If blame must fall,

blame me for focusing only on my plans

while neglecting

the gang's growing internal conflicts.

allowing others to exploit us

and use our factionalism to create chaos.

The Better-Dead Pills

were meant to prevent infighting.

If they cause resentment,

we'll abolish them henceforth.

Today I'll reveal my true plans

and give you a proper explanation.

Father.

Mother.

I'm unfilial.

I've failed to rebuild Huanhua.

I can't even protect our sword manuals.

How can I restore our sect?

I'm useless.

Yiren,

don't blame yourself too much.

Xueyu,

now the Nangong family provokes us.

Though I hold this sword,

I can do nothing.

I'm truly worthless.

Everyone shuns our family when we're down.

We can't even remain in Jin City.

But rest assured,

even at the cost of my life,

I'll protect you.

Yiren,

you've shouldered too much for our family.

And I

yearn to rebuild Huanhua too

to honor our parents' spirits.

I

will marry Nangong Wushang.

No, Xueyu.

Don't marry for the sword manuals.

This is the least

I can do now.

I could never repay our parents' love.

I'll marry Nangong Wushang

to serve our family

and honor our parents.

You took a palm strike after all.

Don't ignore it.

Here's medicine.

Thank you.

Sit down.

Here.

I told you

to rest properly.

Yet you insisted on coming.

It wasn't far.

Don't worry, Physician Tang.

Stop making that sourpuss face.

Unbelievable.

Qiushui.

Qiushui.

Bad timing?

I'm parched.

Did they add sugar to this tea?

A lot of it.

It's cloyingly sweet.

Qiu,

your guqin looks nice.

How about we play a tune together?

What's wrong with you?

Him?

Our famously charming Mr. Zuoqiu

is about to bid farewell to his romantic escapades.

Hard to let go?

I thought I could outdrink Qu Mushuang.

I planned to tell her after winning

that I don't like her sister

but her.

This is too complicated.

Though I practice grappling,

my master once said

the Qus' supreme technique Spring Night

resembles silken grappling.

Like a spring breeze in dreams,

it breaks defenses easily.

Its elegance remains unmatched.

I refused to believe it.

Until Qu Mushuang saved me with her sword.

Then I realized

all sword techniques I've seen

pale compared to the sword flurry

she made that day.

Then why don't you

just tell Mushuang directly?

Qu Mushuang is stubborn and protective.

Now that Qu Minmiao likes Chaoran,

if Chaoran confesses to Qu Mushuang

his true feelings,

I'm afraid

she might cut ties with him.

Lady Tang's right.

Qiu,

you should

be upfront about such matters.

Understood?

Qiushui, I'm back!

♪As waterside blossoms wither♪

♪How brief this mortal journey goes♪

♪The bleak wind starts to blow♪

♪Like a mournful farewell ode♪

♪When zither breaks, who'll sing along♪

♪How deep does sorrow flow♪

♪Gazing at the moon beyond horizons♪

♪Let tears fall where maple leaves stay calm♪

♪Regret remains wordless♪

♪Broken spears sink in sand♪

♪Yesterday's like an elusive dream♪

♪So many moments♪

♪Turned to endless miles♪

♪Wild weeds overgrow what was home♪

♪Love, hatred, and debts unpaid♪

♪Grudges fall like rain♪

♪Endless regrets tangled like hemp♪

♪Missed chances at time's crossroads♪

♪This inescapable fate♪

♪A touch ripples the moonlit water♪

♪What remains♪

♪The broken sword wails, trapped in despair♪

♪This heart-piercing punishment♪

♪As waterside blossoms wither♪

♪How brief this mortal journey goes♪

♪The bleak wind starts to blow♪

♪Like a mournful farewell ode♪

♪When zither breaks, who'll sing along♪

♪How deep does sorrow flow♪

♪Gazing at the moon beyond horizons♪

♪Let tears fall where maple leaves stay calm♪

♪When zither breaks, who'll sing along♪

♪How deep does sorrow flow♪

♪Gazing at the moon beyond horizons♪

♪Let tears fall where maple leaves stay calm♪

♪As flowers fall, so does the heart♪